Senator Win Gatchalian has filed a new bill that seeks to establish evacuation centers in the Philippines to help Filipinos who need to seek shelter in times of calamities.

The lawmaker filed Senate Bill No. 747 for the creation of structurally sound evacuation centers, especially in municipalities and cities prone to typhoons, flooding, and other calamities, stating that the government should seriously consider constructing permanent disaster-resilient and fully-equipped shelters for evacuees during natural calamities.

“Experience has taught us, like the harrowing super typhoon Yolanda, to rethink our strategies in emergency preparedness and invest in sophisticated early warning systems to mitigate the number of casualties,” Gatchalian said.

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Gatchalian made his call after Super Typhoon Rolly left more than 10 people dead and displaced over 390,000 people, particularly in Albay and Catanduanes in Bicol region.

“It’s high time that we put behind the thinking of converting public schools and basketball courts as the go-to places whenever there’s forced evacuation. We should instead put up a facility for evacuees that can withstand wind speeds of 320 kilometers per hour (kph) or 200 miles per hour (mph) and moderate seismic activity of at least 7.2 magnitude,” he stressed.

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Fully-equipped and fully operational, Gatchalian said the permanent evacuation centers should also ensure that there will be no congestion as public health and safety concerns should be considered in the suitability of the premises especially during pandemic.

Besides the provision of water and electricity, Gatchalian said these facilities should have the most basic amenities such as sleeping area, eating area, shower and toilet, kitchen and food preparation area, laundry area, clinic and isolation area for potentially infectious people and pet and livestock holding area.